NCCN News
Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2022)

The NCCN 2022 Annual Conference brings together more than a thousand oncology professionals from around the world to learn about the latest evidence-based treatment recommendations and evaluate new research.The online conference was held from March 31 through April 2, 2022, and included more than 30 educational sessions focusing on state-of-the-art practice algorithms for care across multiple cancer types; updates to NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines); new and emerging therapies; controversies in treatment and areas where further studies are needed; and best practices in the delivery of oncology care."The NCCN Annual Conference provides an opportunity for cancer care professionals to have direct access to world-renowned oncology subject matter specialists," said Robert W. Carlson, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN."We know working in healthcare can be challenging, especially recently, with the rapid addition of many new treatment options.With this conference-and all of the free resources NCCN shares-we want to support providers and make it easier to ensure people with cancer everywhere are getting the best possible care."The conference included concurrent sessions on topics such as genetic risk assessment, the future of telemedicine, and preventive health in cancer survivors.Leading experts presented the latest treatment recommendations for more than a dozen different types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, lung, pancreatic, and prostate.This year, NCCN included 3 plenary sessions on the patient journey, dealing with access to care, equity of care, and survivorship.The moderated panel discussion on access examined how academic cancer centers are expanding treatment services to the community (including home-based care) while exploring the challenges posed by each different setting.The equity panel included a review of programs that are helping to close care gaps and highlights how the policy landscape is evolving.The survivor care session focused on managing unmet psychosocial needs, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and distress."NCCN's core mission is to help people with cancer live better lives," said Dr. Carlson."This means recognizing and addressing the anxiety and distress that is prevalent in up to 80% of cancer survivors.It also means having frank discussions about implicit and explicit biases in care, and taking on social determinants of health.Of course, all of these conversations are happening in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exposed systemic problems and radically changed care delivery."The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on cancer care was also the subject of numerous electronic posters.These are among the more than 200 new studies in clinical oncology, epidemiology, bioinformatics, quality improvement, best practices, and outcomes and health services, including equity and disparities.Top-rated abstracts included topics such as:Are We 'Choosing Wisely'?A Case of Unnecessary Staging Imaging in Older Patients With Prostate Cancer Humoral Immune Response Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic